Krista Vansant, UW volleyball’s All-Pac-12 outside hitter and former No. 1 recruit in the country, talked about the upcoming NCAA tournament, which begins on Friday at Alaska Airlines Arena for the Huskies, and her own development with Seattle Times readers in a live chat Thursday. Here are the highlights:

Q: Obvious question, I guess: How’s your health heading into NCAAs?

Vansant: It’s getting better every day (my ankle). I’m assuming I’m going to play tomorrow night. I’ve been practicing all week, and it’s improving every day.

Vansant: I definitely look up to Courtney Thompson because she’s been through the UW program, and she has been super successful. Jim (coach Jim McLaughlin) always tells us stories about how hardworking she is and the type of work ethic she has. She’s pretty fun to hang out with off the court as well!

Q: Favorite things that you and your teammates like to do?

Vansant: We like to dance, we just make each other laugh! Jo (Orlandini) is hilarious; she seems like she’s super serious, but she’s super funny. You walk in the locker room and she’ll be doing P90X abs for no reason. Kelly (Holford) is crazy, to say the least. Amanda and I are dancing buddies. We like to “Bernie.”

Q: Do you or the team have any pre-match rituals?

Vansant: Yeah, everybody sort of does their own thing. We always listen to “Outta Your Mind” by Lil Jon in the locker room. Then there’s a little podium with a “G” on it for George Hickman who passed away this year, and we kiss our “Dubs” and slap the podium as we run out to warm up.

Q: What is your best advice to young volleyball players?

Vansant: Stay focused and motivated through the hard times, because there are hard times for everybody! Make sure to study and get good grades. Time management is important. And have fun, don’t stress yourself out!

Q: What are your post-UW career goals?

Vansant: I want to play in the 2016 Olympics and play professionally and train with the national team as long as my body will allow me to play. Right now, I’m thinking of majoring in sociology, but I’m not sure yet what I want to do with that.